Guide to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea - country unique nature, many distinctive ethnic groups with an amazing history and traditions, formed as a result of migrations from the Asian mainland to the islands of Australia and Oceania about a century ago. This land is a land of wild, unexplored nature, a variety of creatures of the living world, humid jungles, waterfalls, cold mountainous areas, centuries-old swamps, ancient coral reefs, limestone cliffs, grassy plains, thousands of species of exotic plants and unique animals, insects and birds.

The name “Papua” comes from the Malay word “papuwa”, which translated into Russian means “curly-haired” (according to another version, from “orang papua” - “curly-haired black-headed man”). The Portuguese Menezes gave this name to the island of New Guinea in 1526, noting the shape of the hair. local residents. In 1545, Inigo Ortiz de Retes visited the island and gave it the name “New Guinea”, since, in his opinion, the local inhabitants were similar to the aborigines of Guinea in Africa (perhaps he saw similarities between the coasts of the new island and African Guinea).

The country was inhabited by people from the Asian mainland more than 50 thousand years ago. Numerous waves of migration that swept through the territory of the islands on the way to Australia and the islands of Oceania formed here many unique ethnic groups, whose isolation from each other further emphasized their originality.

From the beginning European colonization and before gaining independence the country changed its official name. The southeastern part was called British New Guinea from 1884-1906, and Papua (under Australian control) from 1906-1949. The northeastern part was first a colony of Germany and in 1884-1920 was called German New Guinea (from 1914 under the control of Australia), and in 1920-1949, according to a decision of the League of Nations, it was renamed the Territory of New Guinea, an Australian mandate. In 1949, the two Australian colonies were merged into one - the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. In 1972, the province was named the Territory of Papua New Guinea. Since 1975, the name Papua New Guinea has become official for the newly independent state.

Today, Papua New Guinea is a virtually unknown region of wild and unexplored land, a land of harsh conditions and unique nature. On this piece of land, only slightly larger in area than Germany and the Benelux countries combined, such a diversity of living beings and natural complexes that they can be compared, perhaps, with the whole of Eurasia. Stifling rainforest regions give way to cold mountainous regions, centuries-old swamps lie next to equally ancient coral reefs, and jagged limestone cliffs border plains covered with emerald green grass. Plus hundreds of unique tribes and peoples with their own traditions and amazing history, thousands of species of exotic plants and many dozens of species of unique animals, from tiny tree kangaroos or birds of paradise to huge butterflies. It is this diversity, left completely untouched by man for so long, that attracts thousands of researchers, anthropologists and travelers.

Port Moresby

Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea. The population of Port Moresby is 200 thousand people. The city is inhabited mainly by Papuans and Melanesians, who speak, depending on their tribe, more than 700 languages ​​and dialects, including about 200 Austronesian and about 500 Papuan. A fairly significant part of the population is represented by Australians and Europeans. More than half of the Chinese who immigrated to Papua New Guinea are residents of the capital, but their number is not significant in the total population. In 1873, the English navigator John Moresby landed in the southeastern part of the island of New Guinea. While exploring the coast, he discovered quite cozy bay, which he named Port Moresby in honor of his father, Admiral Fairfax Moresby. Years later, a city grew in the bay, which retained its name.

In 1884, Port Moresby, along with the entire southeastern part of the island of New Guinea, became part of British New Guinea, which is an English colony. In 1906, the colony was transferred to Australia and became known as the Territory of Papua. In 1949, after the unification of north-eastern New Guinea with Papua, Port Moresby became part of a new administrative unit called Papua New Guinea. In 1964, the country held general elections, which resulted in the formation of a legislative assembly in which the majority of seats were occupied by Aboriginal people. Laws that infringed on the rights of Melanesians ceased to apply. Also in 1964, a university opened in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea. The city gradually turned into the main cultural center of the country.

The historical center of Port Moresby, which residents of the city call Town, is located on a peninsula jutting out into the sea. Located at its tip, Paga Hill, whose height reaches 100 meters above sea level, offers a complete view of the city. Along north coast The town has a long port. On south coast Ella Beach Park is located. In the central part of the Town, buildings erected at the end of the 19th century have been preserved. The oldest architectural monument The city is considered the Ella United Church, built in 1890. The northern part of the city is where most government buildings and offices are located. The Parliament building, built in 1984, is also located here, as well as a large sports complex, created in the late 1980s specifically for the 1991 South Pacific Games held in Port Mersby. The city is home to the country's main higher education institution - the university.

Not far from the Parliament building is National Museum, the exhibition of which presents a wealth of materials on the nature, ethnography, culture and history of Papua New Guinea. It is truly the spiritual center of the country's rich and varied heritage. The museum has been operating for quite a long time and to date its collection includes 30 thousand anthropological exhibits, 18 thousand natural science exhibits, 25 thousand archaeological exhibits, about 7 thousand works of art representing the present time and 20 thousand military relics.

The National Museum is located in the capital of Papua and New Guinea, Port Moresby. The museum is a whole complex consisting of several rooms located in different areas of the city. The main building of the National Museum is located in the Waigani area. This room presents to the attention of visitors a variety of exhibits, which are housed in five galleries, namely: the Independence Gallery, the Masterpieces Gallery, Life and Earth, the Sir A. Mann Gallery, and the Sir M. Somare Gallery. The exhibition of the galleries corresponds to the name of each of them; let’s take a closer look at what can be seen in the galleries of the National Museum.

The Independence Gallery contains traditional Guinean household items: fishing gear, canoes, clay dishes and other kitchen items, clothing for everyday life and ceremonial clothing, string bags, which in Papua New Guinea are called “bilums,” as well as national musical instruments.

The Gallery of Masterpieces presents a variety of objects that have aesthetic or religious significance: jewelry, objects of power passed from one ruler to another, masks, and the like. "Life and Earth" - a gallery reflecting the most ancient history Papua and New Guinea. It depicts the life and everyday life of the first settlements on the territory of the country, which, according to historians and archaeologists, appeared here about 50 thousand years ago.

The Sir Alan Mann Gallery is home to temporary exhibitions that are regularly exhibited at the National Museum. The Sir Michael Somare Gallery presents new acquisitions. This gallery appeared relatively recently, in 1986, and received its name in honor of the country's first prime minister. The first exhibits are gifts received by Somare from representatives of various countries of the world during his reign.

Also of interest is the central courtyard of the museum, which houses a picturesque small park. In the park you can see many live birds and animals, a small theater, and an amphitheater.

The National Botanical Park, one of the main attractions of Papua and New Guinea, is also located in Port Moresby. Here are plants from different regions of Papua and New Guinea. This became possible thanks to natural conditions Port Moresby, where, despite the dry climate, plants from all regions of the country can be grown. One of the corners of the National Botanical Park is designed in the form of a map of the country, and the plants that form this map are arranged in such a way that they reflect the flora of the corresponding region of Papua New Guinea. The park contains a unique and largest collection of orchids growing in natural conditions in the southern hemisphere. There are about three thousand species here. Your journey through the park will be absolutely harmless to plants, since boardwalks and suspended paths are laid right under the canopy of trees for transportation; the total length of these roads is approximately two kilometers.

In addition, the National Botanical Park is a real bird paradise. Birds of paradise that live only in Papua and New Guinea, Australia and the adjacent islands are collected here. Don't miss the chance to listen to the singing of these amazing birds. The park is also home to traditional Papua New Guinean animals: couscous, dwarf kangaroo and many others.

Warirata National Park is the first national park in the country. It is located approximately 42 km from the capital of the country, Port Moresby. Warirata National Park was founded in 1963 and covers an area of ​​more than a thousand hectares. Initially, the area now occupied by the park was a hunting ground for tribal leaders. In memory of those times in national park What remains is a “tree-house” - a cult object of the Koiaris tribe. Today, Warirata National Park is a protected site.

The climate of the region where the park is located is tropical, that is, there are clearly two seasons: wet and dry, which promotes the growth of traditional local plants, of which there are a lot. Warirata National Park is an extremely picturesque place. In addition to the fact that the park itself has a wooded savannah, tropical forests, diverse herbaceous vegetation and gallery forests, the park is surrounded by extraordinary landscapes: the Sogeri plateau and the Astrolab mountain range. In addition, in Varirata Park there is a beautiful panoramic view to Port Moresby. It is very difficult to get lost in the park, despite its large area, since all paths are marked.

If we talk in more detail about the vegetation in Warirata National Park, the traditional Papua and New Guinea ferns, reeds, bamboos, orchids, and eucalyptus trees prevail here. In complete freedom, the park is home to many species of birds, including white cockatoos and other parrots, bowerbirds, and birds of paradise. In the tropical forests and savannas of the park you can find a variety of fauna: green python, amethyst python, deer, couscous, wallaby kangaroo, bandicoot, many colorful butterflies and others.

Gardens of Eden

Several years ago (in 2006), an expedition of scientists from several countries (Australia, USA, Indonesia) discovered a truly amazing phenomenon for the present time - an isolated tropical forest without any signs of civilization, in which there was not even a single small path. The expedition was led by scientist Bruce Beeler. Such a “miracle” was discovered on the island of New Guinea, in its western part, at an altitude of about two thousand meters in the Foya Mountains. This amazing tropical forest covers an area of ​​809 thousand hectares. Even for local residents (and the scientific expedition was accompanied by elders of two Papuan tribes), the isolated tropical forest was a discovery. This is truly a heavenly place, for which it received its name - the Gardens of Eden.

The ecosystem of the Gardens, formed and existing without any outside interference, is amazingly beautiful and sometimes unusual. Here the life of wild nature is best represented, for which there are no obstacles or restrictions. There is hardly another place where you can see so much extraordinary beauty exotic animals, birds, plants. In addition to the traditional flora and fauna of Papua New Guinea, during the expedition in the Gardens of Eden, about 20 new species of frogs, 4 species of butterflies, many flowers, including the world's largest rhododendron, and previously unknown species of birds, in particular the family of honeyeaters, were discovered. This amazing rainforest is also home to the golden tree kangaroo, a species previously considered extinct. It is also striking that most birds and animals are not afraid of people and sometimes even sit on people’s hands.

Cook settlement

On the territory of Papua and New Guinea, in addition to many natural and historical attractions, there is also an interesting archaeological site - the ancient agricultural settlement of Cook, also known as the Cook Swamp. This settlement is located in the Western Highlands region of Papua New Guinea, in the Wahgi Valley at an altitude of more than 1500 m above sea level. This interesting archaeological site covers an area of ​​about 116 hectares. Archaeologists and historians have been conducting excavations and research on the territory of the ancient settlement since the 1960s, and this research was started by archaeologist from Australia Jack Golson. Over almost half a century of excavations, many interesting things were discovered and very interesting facts were established. A little more about this below.

Cook's agricultural settlement reflects the development Agriculture in isolated conditions for 7-10 thousand years. This settlement became the main evidence of such a long history of agricultural activity in Papua New Guinea. In this area, traces were discovered that reflect the transition from gathering to direct agriculture, to farming. Around 2000 BC, the inhabitants of the settlement created a drainage system that was quite developed for that time; all the canals forming it were united into a single network. If we talk in more detail about farming, it should be noted that in this settlement they mainly grew nut and fruit trees, sugar cane, taro, yams, greens, bananas, leafy vegetables and pasture crops. The Cook Marshes are the richest site in New Caledonia with evidence of active and successful farming.

Nowadays, the territory of the ancient agricultural settlement of Kuka is home to the Papuan Kavelka tribe, which grows coffee, sweet potatoes and bananas. Thus, the tribe carefully preserves the heritage of their ancestors. In 2008, UNESCO listed the Cook settlement as a World Heritage Site.

Mount Wilhelm

One of the main natural attractions of Papua and New Guinea is Mount Wilhelm. Its height is 4509 meters, it is the highest mountain in the country. Mount Wilhelm is located near the equator, but its top is covered with snow. Peak Wilhelm is part of the Bismarck Range, its peculiarity is that it is the intersection point of three provinces of Papua New Guinea: Madang, Chimbu and Western Highlands.

Among the Papuans, in their language, the mountain is better known as Enduva-Kombuglu. Mount Wilhelm received its name in 1888. Then one German correspondent climbed Mount Finisterre and gave the mountain range a name in honor of the German Chancellor - Bismarck. Four most high mountains The ridges were named after the chancellor himself and his three children: Ottoberg, Mariaberg, Wilhelmberg and Herbertberg (“berg” means “mountain” in German). However, the correspondent was mistaken about the highest peak; he considered Ottoberg as such, but in 1938 it was found that its height is 3540 meters, that is, almost a thousand meters less than Wilhelm Peak.

Mount Wilhelm is a witness to many historical events, in particular the Second World War. It is a known fact that on May 22, 1944, an American plane whose task was to photograph Fr. Padaidori in New Guinea, crashed into a mountainside. Most of the fragments fell into the lake, located almost at the foot of Mount Wilhelm, but some parts of that plane can still be seen today, for example, the wing.

Many people never conquered Mount Wilhelm; moreover, the peak claimed more than one human life. A plaque has been erected at the spot where he was last seen in memory of an Australian Army sergeant who fell from a steep slope in 1971. In 1995, an Israeli tourist sprained his leg and fell behind his group, as a result he got lost, then stumbled in the dark and fell into the gorge. In 2005, a member of the tourism board died of a heart attack while climbing Mount Wilhelm.

But, despite all this, Mount Wilhelm is the most accessible climb in Papua and New Guinea. There are two routes to climb to the top. The first, easier and shorter, from the village of Keglesugl in Chimbu district, the route runs through tropical forests, past picturesque alpine meadows and glacial valleys, the ascent along this route will take a little more than three hours. The second route is more complex and longer, about four days, it originates in the village of Ambullua in the Western Highlands.

Source - http://www.intergid.ru/excursion/64/666/
http://ru.wikipedia.org/

Today we present to you an article on the topic: "attractions new Guinea" With full description where to go and what to see. We also offer interesting comments from travelers.

The main attractions of Papua New Guinea: review and photos

The island of Papua New Guinea was first noted in the 16th century thanks to the navigator from Portugal who discovered it. Throughout its history, in the “paws” of civilization, the island has been repeatedly colonized, conquered, given over to other countries for management, and used mercilessly natural resources. Today, Papua New Guinea is a state with sovereignty and its own self-government.

Papua New Guinea is, perhaps, one of the cleanest places on the planet, where the hand of man has not yet managed to transform and modify amazing nature of this island. This land is replete with the most exotic flora and fauna - we can say that these lands hold the record for the number of amazing species of animals and plants that attract both tourists and biologists. Papua New Guinea has everything that is included in the universal concept of “heaven on earth”: sandy golden beaches, mysterious jungles, clear blue sea, entire colonies of coral polyps, dazzling sun and serious steep cliffs, which contrast nicely with the bright colors of nature.

Papua New Guinea annually attracts a decent number of tourists with its beauty and attractions. You will learn about the main and most famous attractions of this island below.

Although Mountain peaks Most tourists associate them with Sweden and Austria; Papua New Guinea can also surprise with its mountain ranges, cliffs and gorges. Of course, ski lovers will be disappointed - after all, there is very little snow on the top of Mount Wilhelm in New Guinea, which, however, does not diminish the interest of tourists in it.

This mountain is a real landmark of Papua New Guinea, with which many significant events in world history are associated and which is more than 4 thousand meters in height. There are two routes to climb it, differing in difficulty level. Mount Wilhelm is distinguished by its picturesqueness - its paths lead tourists past exotic jungles that frame its slopes with islands of lush vegetation.

The Giluwe volcano is a real giant of the Australian continent that appeared long before the start of the Ice Age. The volcano is slightly inferior in height to Mount Wilhelm and has a vertical length of slightly less than 4.4 thousand meters.

Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and perhaps its most amazing city. The entrance to Port Moresby begins at a sea harbor called Fairfax. This capital is strikingly different from large and wealthy European cities - not because the number of high-rise buildings in the city is kept to a minimum, but because of its stunning natural design.

Port Moresby, like all cities of Papua New Guinea, is part of civilization with the harmonious inclusion of islands of nature - gardens, alleys, parks - into the bustle of the city. The capital of Papua New Guinea is surrounded on all sides by forests and hills - they seem to carefully “hold” the city in their paws, bringing the necessary harmony and exoticism.

Undoubtedly, one of the most amazing places in Papua New Guinea is the settlement of Kuka - an ancient town on this moment half-hidden by the jungle. The settlement is an archaeological site with an area of ​​116 hectares. It is known that the age of this settlement exceeds 5 thousand years, which makes this marshy and uneven area especially attractive to archaeologists and scientists.

Despite the fact that the tribes living in this area several thousand years ago were far from science Ancient Greece, they created their own system for watering “gardens”, which looked like a branched grid. The ancient agricultural settlement of Kuka has recently been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The word “fjord” alone is associated with the harsh nature of Norway, and we are often surprised when we come across this word, for example, in Papua New Guinea. Oddly enough, the Guinean island actually has fjords that have the same magnetism and beauty as those in the land of the Vikings.

The most amazing bays with steep cliffs, azure clear water and low skies - every year they attract a huge number of tourists who want not only to admire the natural attraction, but also to touch the warm (unlike the fjords of the northern countries) water, and, if possible, even swim.

Owen Stanley is one of the most famous and widely known landmarks. This ridge, in a long chain, with a horizontal length of about 3 hundred km and a vertical length of about 3 thousand meters, runs along the island of New Guinea, originating in its southern part. Owen Stanley was discovered at the end of the 19th century and has since become one of the hallmarks of the Guinean island.

Throughout Papua New Guinea, it is quite problematic to find a place free from the habitat of plants and animals, and this mountain range is no exception. Many species of plants grow on its rocks, holding their roots to the rocky soil, while Owen Stanley itself is surrounded by tropical forests that lie at its foot.

The Sepik is a river of the Guinean island, which is the longest and most picturesque river in New Guinea. Guineans are extremely proud of this natural landmark because it largely supports and provides life on the island.

The Sepik runs through almost the entire island, meandering and making interesting turns, with a length of more than 1.1 thousand km. The river is interesting for tourists because its waters, although not crystal clear, are nevertheless very fertile, and the banks are picturesque. The Sepik, like almost the entire nature of New Guinea, escaped the intervention of civilization. That is why traveling along it seems even more exciting, because in some places on its banks - be it swampy areas or difficult jungles - no human has even set foot.

The southern highlands are a whole system of mountain ranges, jungles, tropical forests, rocks, waterfalls and rivers. It is absolutely impossible to capture all its beauty during one excursion. It will take more than one day to enjoy the amazing views, which are more reminiscent of glossy heavenly covers than reality. The Southern Highlands are home to many peoples living along traditional way of life life, formed several hundred years (and maybe even millennia) ago.

During excursions you can get acquainted with some of them and even more closely feel the harmony with natural forces and life itself that permeates the entire island. Almost unknown to civilization, the peoples of New Guinea are extremely amazing, who can teach modern man much more than he thinks. Tours in the Southern Highlands offer crystalline waterfalls and breathtaking cliff views, lush rainforests and deep lakes.

Rabaul is a city that experienced many tragic events in world history, witnessed the Second World War, saw the battles of local residents with conquerors and died, almost completely disappearing under the ashes of a volcano that awoke near the city.

Previously the most prosperous, most famous city in Papua New Guinea, at the moment Rabaul is only a dim echo of its former beauty, however, despite this, crowds of tourists every year begin their excursion routes with a visit to this city.

The world-famous Lake Kutubu is one of the most amazing pearls of Papua New Guinea. Kutubu is the second largest lake on the Guinean island, but, despite this, perhaps the most “alive”.

Its depths are home to the rarest fish species on the planet, whose habitat is limited only by the border of Lake Kutubu. The shores of the natural reservoir are decorated with colorful vegetation, in which many species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects have found shelter.

Local residents are very proud of the lake and do everything to preserve its purity, flora and fauna. There are several waiting for tourists who want to see this attraction. excursion routes, which pass through the most attractive and amazing places of Kutubu.

Perhaps nowhere in Papua New Guinea are there such suitable and well-developed conditions for active recreation. Numerous turbulent rivers passing between the rocks, waterfalls, and coral lagoons fully justify a visit to the Duke of York.

On this island, interested tourists can try the most different types water sports: canoeing, diving, windsurfing, surfing and much more. This island seems to be created specifically for entertainment and will not give tourists who love leisure, get bored.

The Central District is one of the favorite destinations for tourists because it can be called the “heart” of Papua New Guinea's wildlife. It is here that the main and largest nature reserve of the island called “Warirata” is located. The Central District is also famous for its landscapes, the lush green forests of which are intersected by chains of mountain gorges, waterfalls and rivers.

The Varirata Nature Reserve is visited annually by a large number of tourists, who are invariably delighted when meeting many species of animals and exotic birds. In the Central District there are many places where anyone can find a holiday of their own interest: a tour of the Kokoda Trail, a walk along the many beaches, resorts and much more.

Port Moresby

The capital of Papua New Guinea and the country's main gateway, Port Moresby (population approximately 145,000) is located on a peninsula in the superb natural Fairfax Harbor lying on the island's south-eastern shore, in the wider Gulf of Papua. The city itself is relatively small - its entire historical core fits on a small peninsula between Walter Bay and Port Moresby Bay, but the neighborhoods that have grown over the past twenty years circle the entire Fairfax Harbor, forming a fairly spacious series of small suburbs and individual villages. The city was founded by Captain John Moresby in 1873 as a small colonial settlement, and the following year Christian missions that had emerged in the nearby village of Hanuabada and Yule Island (10 km west of the peninsula) merged with the camp, and Port Moresby began its rapid development as the administrative center of the region. This part of the country has a noticeably drier climate than the rest of New Guinea, so it is here that the main administrative and commercial institutions are gradually concentrated.

Port Moresby is a mixture of old colonial buildings, modern offices and run-down suburban houses. The city was heavily damaged during the fighting of World War II (it was the main transit base for Allied troops), so there are few attractions here. Most government buildings are located in the northern part of the city (Waigani district). Here is the Parliament building (1984) in a colorful style that combines modern architecture and traditional motifs of the “spirit houses” (haus tambaran) of the peoples of the island; a large sports complex built for the South Pacific Games held in Port Moresby in 1991; National Museum, where materials on the nature, ethnography, culture and history of Papua New Guinea are widely presented; Art gallery with a large exhibition of cultural works of the island; a Catholic cathedral in an unusual style, as well as the restored pile complex of the village of Hanuabada, considered the symbol of the city.

The historical center of the city, which is simply called Town, is located slightly south of Vaigani and is bordered on the southwest by Paga Hill (98 meters high), which offers a wonderful view of the city. A port stretches along the northern shore of the Town, the southern coast is occupied by Ela Beach Park, and in the center there are old neighborhoods in which buildings have been preserved late XIX century. The oldest building in Port Moresby is the Ela United Church, built in 1890. The Boroko area is home to some of the most modern office buildings and expensive hotels, as well as the capital's largest shopping center, which includes many restaurants, bars, banks and department stores. And a little further east along the coast stretches the Gordons district, whose boring appearance is noticeably “diluted” by the lively Gordons Market, which is one of the largest in the country.

The National Botanical Park (Port Moresby Botanical Gardens, open Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 15.00, on weekends by appointment) is the main attraction of the capital - in addition to a huge number of plants from all over the country, this garden is a real bird's paradise. Here there is a corner made in the form of a map, and in each part of this unique map plants from the corresponding region of the country are collected. In addition to numerous representatives of the flora of the islands, there are more than three thousand varieties of orchids in natural conditions (the largest collection of these plants in the southern hemisphere of the planet), and about 2 kilometers of suspended trails and boardwalks are laid under the canopy of trees, allowing you to get acquainted with the local vegetation without harming it. harm.

The hills surrounding the capital are extremely picturesque, and almost the entire mouth of Fairfax Bay is blocked by powerful coral reefs, so there are many sports organizations here. The city has all the conditions for scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, sea fishing, water skiing, golf, tennis and squash, and some lack of equipment and qualified instructors is more than compensated by the unique conditions of the surrounding nature. However, most interesting places located outside the city limits, in the Central District.

Central district
The Central District covers a narrow strip along the southern coast of the Gulf of Papua to the eastern tip of the island of New Guinea, as well as the southern slopes of the central mountain range. To the north-east of Port Moresby are the spectacular Rouna Falls, and nearby Warirata National Park, the country's first nature reserve. Covering an area of ​​approximately 1,000 hectares, the park was originally a hunting ground for the chiefs of the coastal Koiari tribes, and now features almost all of the region's flora and fauna, including birds of paradise, wallabies and deer. There are a dozen walking trails throughout the reserve, at the end of which a beautiful panorama of Port Moresby and the green coastline opens. Just north of Port Moresby, the Brown River is a pleasant place for swimming, rafting and picnicking.

Nearby begins the famous Kokoda Trail, which connects the northern and southern coasts of the island. This essentially ordinary mountain trail passes through extremely picturesque places Owen Stanley Ridge is also the country's most popular historical excursion - it was along this trail that the most brutal battles broke out between the Japanese and Allied forces during World War II. The trail goes through rugged and beautiful mountain areas, under the canopies of dense tropical forest, past numerous clear rivers and waterfalls, visiting battle sites - bunkers, caponiers, artillery positions and defensive lines of both warring sides.

Just 46 kilometers from Port Moresby, the picturesque Sogeri Plateau begins - the starting point for the Kokoda Trail. Here, at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level, the air is fresh and cool, and the numerous rubber plantations and ethnic villages only add to the charm. Here, in the town of Six Miles, near the airport, is Village Arts, a state-owned store with the best collection of folk arts and crafts in the country. Nearby are the historic Bomana War Cemetery with a beautiful park and the Moitaka Farm, which researches and breeds crocodiles and other living inhabitants of the region.

To the east of the capital, the popular Idlers Beach begins, and in the waters of the bay lie the Sinasi Reef and Daugo Island, famous for their beautiful corals and white sandy beaches. Further east, just fifteen minutes' drive from Port Moresby, is one of the best resorts Islands - Loloata Island Resort(www.loloata.com). Surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the planet, it offers excellent conditions for snorkeling, diving, fishing and more. aquatic species recreation (nearby is the marine park "Oceanarium").

Northern District, or Oro
Few people, when mentioning New Guinea, expect to hear about fjords. However, the coast of the Northern District around the town of Tufi really most closely resembles the rocks of Norway or Iceland, with the only difference being that the water here is always warm, and these beautiful rocks were formed not by the influence of a glacier, but by the tectonic forces of the Earth. Cape Nelson, jutting out into the Solomon Sea, was formed by the eruption of three volcanoes, whose rapidly hardening lava ran down to the water, creating numerous rock tongues and gorges, so similar to classic fjords. The clear waters of the local fjords, going down to a depth of 90 meters, are teeming with a huge number of representatives of tropical ichthyofauna, and the rocks themselves rise above the water to a height of more than 150 meters. The wide mouths of the bays are protected by reefs, and the shores are often covered with mangrove forests, over which hang vertical slopes of gorges covered with mosses and orchids, from which cascades of waterfalls fall. It is not surprising that in such a beautiful place there is intensive creation of tourism infrastructure, the fulcrum of which is the city of Tufi, from where diving tours and many all kinds of trips related to bird watching, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, canoeing or simply doing nothing on the whites are regularly organized sandy shores, framing Cape Nelson from both the north and south.

Every October, the region celebrates the Tapa Festival, followed by Martyrs' Day and Korat Church Day. The northern branch of the Kokoda Trail ends in the village of Kokoda, spreading along the coast to Buna and Gona with many local tourist roads. It was also the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, so the surrounding area is replete with traces of those battles, and at Hiropa Plantation, on Buna Road, there is a Japanese plaque commemorating the 15,000 Imperial Army soldiers who died here. On the slopes active volcano Mount Lamington is home to thousands of birds.

Southern Highlands
The Southern Highlands lie not in the south at all, but in the very center of the country. This region is often called "Wonderland" because until 1935 this chaos of mountain ranges and evergreen forested valleys was practically one big blank spot on all maps of the world. The Kikori, Erave and Strickland rivers take off from here, the second highest mountain of the island, Jiluwe (2900 meters), is located here, caves of enormous depth have been discovered and amazing people live, whose acquaintance with modern civilization is limited only to occasional meetings with the inhabitants of mountain towns. This is one of the few places on the planet where traditional ways of life are evident in almost every aspect of local life. Ancient ceremonial rituals are present everywhere, men and women still wear traditional dress, and huts are still built from stones and branches of bushes. The fresh air of the mountains is ideal for numerous excursions, and under the canopy of a dense tropical forest you can see (and hear) dozens of bird species, clear rivers with numerous waterfalls.

South of the district capital Mendi, at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, lies the beautiful Lake Kutubu - the second largest lake in Papua New Guinea and one of the most unusual bodies of water in the region. Included in the list of natural monuments of planetary significance in 1998, it is famous for its unique ichthyofauna - 10 of the 14 species of fish living here are not found anywhere else on Earth. It is also calm and very beautiful lake provides refuge to almost a hundred species of birds, and its shores abound with reptiles and insects. Local residents built a small boarding house above the water's edge, using only local materials and traditional construction methods. From here, walking tours regularly depart to the most beautiful places in the vicinity of the lake.

The Mendi Valley is also well known for its beautiful landscapes, limestone caves and the Uli Vig hunters who paint their faces red and yellow and wear elaborate wigs made from human hair.

Eastern Highlands
A land of gold mines and coffee plantations, the Eastern Highlands are more susceptible to European influence than any of the country's other upland regions. The Highlanders still live in neat villages, clusters of round huts surrounded by low walls and meadows of feather grass-like kunai grass. Traditional rituals and dress here are gradually being replaced by jeans and cowgirls, and English speech can be heard much more often than in other regions of the country.

The largest settlement in the region, Goroka (population about 25 thousand people) is its agricultural and commercial center. The small hill station lying at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, as Goroka was until the early 1950s, has now grown into an attractive and fairly well-organized city with modern facilities and a relaxing atmosphere of endless spring. The climate here is really pleasant - the temperature rarely rises above +30°C, and fresh winds from the mountains maintain a pleasant microclimate even during the rainy season. The main attractions of the city are the annual August festival, which brings together in one place the best performers of folk songs and dances from all the surrounding hill tribes, the McCartney Museum (the second largest in the country) with an extensive exhibition of folk arts and crafts, military relics and photographs, and also the nationally known theater troupe Raun Raun with its own theater (located near the market, just a 5-minute walk from the city center), the entire repertoire of which is based on the use of traditional stories and legends.

The village of Bena Bena, located 10 km from Goroka, is the largest community in mountainous areas, specializing in hand weaving, rugs, bedspreads and mats made by local craftsmen are very popular throughout the country. Also nearby is the village of Asaro, inhabited by representatives of the ethnic group of the same name, widely known for its ritualism, as well as the unusual tradition of covering their bodies with gray mud (legend says that in this way Asaro warriors frightened their enemies, who mistook them for ghosts - theatrical illustrations of this particular legend are the centerpiece of the Goroka Festival).

From Goroka Post Office a trail leads to Mount Kiss, which offers a magnificent view of the valley, and south of Goroka you can climb Mount Michael and visit a cave with prehistoric petroglyphs. 11 km from the city lies Mount Gahavisuka Provincial Park, which occupies 80 hectares of beautiful mountainous terrain and has been turned into a small botanical park where plants from all over the country are collected. And around there are endless coffee plantations, through which you can access the Kotuni trout farm, or the large cultural center of Kainantu (however, it is better to go here through the Kassim or Lae pass), where not only traditional local crafts are sold; but they also teach local woodworking or weaving technologies.

Chimbu District
In the heart of the highlands lies Chimbu District, the country's smallest and most densely populated region. The mountain slopes here literally rear up - the entire district is occupied by steep mountain ranges, dissected by deep and often inaccessible valleys. The highest point of the country is also located here. most popular place for climbers from all over the region - Mount Wilhelm (4509 meters). The main way to relax here is active. Trekking trails of all difficulty levels scatter throughout the district, going past the traditional villages of the Chimbu (Simbu) tribal group, through dense tropical forest, past the purest rivers with their trout farms, along the banks beautiful lakes Pindowne, where there is a small lodge. The landscapes here are breathtaking - on a clear day you can see almost the entire island from the mountain slopes, from the northern coast to the southern, and the climate is cool (there is even snow cover on the peaks).

The capital of the Kundiawa district is located in a picturesque setting near the old airfield, which lies directly on the mountain slope (even the runway here is at an angle to the horizon). The town does not boast any attractions, but is a good starting point for mountain and river hikes in the region. Just a few kilometers from Kundiawa, almost next to the main road, lie the Keu Caves, where speleological tours are often organized (there are many other caves in the vicinity, but most of them are burial places for soldiers killed in battles and are therefore closed to the public), and The local rivers Vagi and Purari, according to many experts, are among the best in the world for organizing rafting and kayaking.

Western Highlands
Western Highlands District lies between Chimbu, Enga and Southern Highlands Districts. The mountainous land of the region is covered with dense equatorial forests of the lowlands and green alpine meadows of the mountain slopes, merging into the ever-shrouded mountain peaks.

The region's capital, Mount Hagen, is a colorful and bustling commercial center where quick profits from coffee and tea plantations quickly replaced traditional lifestyles, turning the city into something resembling the "Frontier towns" of Wild West films. Having quickly grown over the past quarter century from a tiny village of cattle breeders and planters, the city has absorbed representatives of almost all ethnic groups in the country. Maybe that’s why it is considered one of the “most festive” cities in the country - a huge number of different cultural festivals, festive ceremonies and various traditional events are held here, starting with the usual bride ransom holiday in these parts and ending with a colorful opening ceremony new road. Best time The best time to visit Mount Hagen is August, when the city's annual festival is held. Representatives of hundreds of different mountain tribes gather for this holiday, each in their characteristic tribal dress, headdress (an important element in local symbolism, by the way) and body paint. This festival is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the rich traditions and social structure of the peoples of the highlands.

Local handicrafts can be seen at the Mount Hagen Cultural Centre. It is housed in a carefully restored traditional village hut and has a small museum with exhibitions of various crafts and ethnic items. The traditional center of public life in the city - Saturday market, where representatives of all nationalities of the region gather. This is a real kaleidoscope of fruits and vegetables, birds and animals, farmers in bright shirts or skirts, as well as hunters in traditional clothes made of grass and feathers. Men here wear long beards, and women wear lots of shiny scarves and brightly colored bilum bags. Here you can buy almost the entire range of handicrafts for which this region is famous.

55 km north of Mount Hagen lies the Bayer River Nature Reserve - one of best places in a country where you can see the famous birds of paradise, possums, tree kangaroos, parrots and cassowaries in their natural habitat. Hiking trails to the valleys of the Vaga and Ter rivers or trekking routes to the southwestern slopes of Mount Wilhelm begin from here.

Western district
On south coast Island of New Guinea, between the border with Irian Jaya and the western coast of the Gulf of Papua, lies the Western District - the main agricultural region of the country. The region's wide open fields and marshy river valleys are teeming with life - home to Rusa deer, wallabies, wild pigs, crocodiles and lizards. And all this is just a few steps from domestic flocks and waterfowl - the region's residents manage to find a delicate balance between providing for their own food needs and protecting the original inhabitants of this land.

The main city of the district, Daru, is located on a small island of the same name near the southeast coast of the country, in the Torres Strait. Once a small center for pearl and sea cucumber fishing, it has now become a fast-growing trading and fishing port, somewhat reminiscent of the ever-bustling Arab seaside towns. Its main export product is crocodile skin and products made from it, so the local market is constantly flooded with lovers of fashion accessories and tourists from Australia (Cape York is only 180 km away from here - a trifle by the scale of the region).

Main tourist site Western District - Bensbach Wildlife Lodge, located on the river of the same name, whose mouth forms the border between Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The vast plain of the Bensbach River is almost entirely flooded during the season, providing unique living conditions for a myriad of birds and fish (the lodge is considered one of the best fishing spots in the country), and during the dry season, herds of ungulates roam this analogue of the Nile Valley.

In the upper reaches of the Fly River, which flows through the district, there is one of the largest gold and copper mines on the planet - Ok Tedi. Opened in 1980, it produces about 80 thousand tons of ore daily; it is not difficult to guess that the Fly River is also gold-bearing - amateur gold mining on its banks has long turned into a kind of tourist attraction (the content of the precious metal in local sediments is small, but the process itself is entertaining ).

Lake Murray (Murray), located in the very center of the district, is the largest floodplain lake in Papua New Guinea and in the rainy season increases its area five times, filling more than 400 square meters. km of meadows and valleys. Now a crocodile research station has been opened on the lake, offering tourists other environmental services.

Sepik District
The Sepik River, the valley of which forms the northwestern district of the country of the same name, is one of the largest river systems in the region (the length of the river itself is about 1126 km). This vast region north of the Bismarck Ridge is almost entirely occupied by a huge river basin, swampy lowlands and tropical forests grading into mountain slopes, whose peaks are often crowned with snow caps (at the equator!). With its buttery brown rivers, dozens of tribes, many of them barely above the Stone Age, and their myths, magic and rituals, this secluded corner of the planet is the perfect place for fans extreme tourism. Along the banks of the rivers there are a series of colorful local villages with their stilt houses, long canoes with noses like crocodile heads, lakes overgrown with exotic flowers, and local misty sunrises and stunning sunsets are said to have no analogues on the planet.

Good beaches for relaxation and diving are located in the area of ​​​​Cape Moem, in the Mapik region you can get acquainted with the amazing culture of the Abalem tribes, around Madang - the capital of the region of the same name - with the art of local potters, in the village of Timbunke - with local construction methods. Near the capital of East Sepik - the city of Wewak - you can visit Cape Vom (Uom) - the site of the surrender of the last Japanese garrison on the island (here on September 13, 1945, Lieutenant General Adachi signed the act of surrender and presented his sword to General Robertson) with its war memorial and old an airfield around which silent evidence of that war is scattered in abundance (Wewak itself also has a Japanese war cemetery and a Peace Park).

The Chambri Lakes, a vast expanse of shallow water located in East Sepik, are widely known for their vibrant bird community, crocodiles and many villages home to renowned artists and craftsmen. The village of Aibom is famous for its potters, who use ancient techniques not only to make ordinary kitchenware, but also to produce fireplaces and tiles. The village of Kanganaman is famous for its recently restored “house of spirits” (the local house tambaran is considered a monument of national importance), and Korhogo is famous for its “mei” masks (local tribes have been using totemic symbols from the world of insects since ancient times), and Waskuska also has a beautiful “house of spirits” , in Yigei they make traditional tom-toms "garamut" (when rafting on the river, their sound can be heard everywhere), and in the village of Svagap (Suagap) they make simple and elegant pottery in folk style.

The excellent coastline west of Vanimo (West Sepik, 30 km from the Indonesian border) forms a small peninsula, literally abutting limestone cliffs on which a Japanese landing barge rusts (the waters here are excellent for diving). From September to January, the 260 km of coastline near Wutung attracts hundreds of surfers, while strong north-westerly winds between December and March create excellent conditions for windsurfing. At a short distance from the town of Aitape (founded by the Germans in 1905) there are several small island ov. There were also bloody battles in this area, so in the waters around the islands and the old Taji airfield you can find several dozen crashed planes and warships (there is a war memorial near Taji).

Morobe District
In the very northeast of the island of New Guinea, on the Huon Peninsula around the bay of the same name, Morobe District is located. Here the densely forested Saruwaged Mountains, the northern spur of the Owen Stanley Range, open directly onto the coast, forming a chain of small volcanic islands in the sea, while the southwestern part of the district lies within the fertile Markham Valley, sandwiched between high ridges. Such a varied relief also resulted in the richest natural world region - hinterland and the Morobe coast abound with unique flora and fauna and are cut through by numerous excursion trails, especially frequent in the Wau Bulolo area.

Lae
The second largest city in Papua New Guinea, Lae was a tiny mission station until the 1920s, developing rapidly after the discovery of gold mines in the Wau region. Over the next twenty years, it grew into the main port and industrial center of the northeast of the country. During World War II, Lae became the main base for Japanese troops in New Guinea, and Mount Lunaman, located in the center of the city, was used as an observation post (and now offers magnificent views of Huon Bay and the Markham Valley). The fighting that broke out in the Lae region (primarily airborne) cost the warring sides tens of thousands of lives, so the historical center of this attractive tropical city is still the Lae Military Cemetery, located within the Botanical Gardens.

Now Lae is a fairly modern city with numerous banks, international hotels, department stores, colorful local markets and street workshops, where local decorative crafts are produced and sold right in front of guests. A good collection of local crafts, including "paintings" made of colorful sand (almost business card local artisans) can be found at the Melanesian Arts Center and the Morobe Arts and Crafts Centre. The Lae University of Technology has a rather interesting collection of rare and highly valuable folk artefacts, including Sepik ritual carved pillars, as well as a small coffee shop in the traditional house tambaran style.

But the main decoration of Lae is its famous Botanical Gardens, considered one of the best in the country. The huge exhibition of gardens (an area of ​​about 3000 square meters) contains more than 15 thousand representatives of local plants, 21 species of birds, including the magnificent bird of paradise Raggiana, several species of reptiles, as well as about 70 species of butterflies, 6 species of turtles and several dozen species of frogs and fish (there are several lakes and many ecological zones characteristic of different regions of the island).

Near Lae lies the town of Wau, which was previously a major gold mining center and now houses the Wau Institute of Ecology with a small museum and zoo. Near the city are McAdam National Park and Mount Kaindi, the pretty coastal town of Finschhafen (founded by German colonists in 1885, today it is the center of the island's Lutheran community), the Vatut (Watut) River with its beautiful raft sites, as well as the Thami Islands, whose population is widely known for its carved wooden balls, considered true works of art.

South of Lae lie the attractive Sialum coastline with coral terraces, the excellent Salamaua beach with good conditions for swimming, diving, windsurfing and hiking through the battlefields of World War II, the picturesque Labu Lakes in the Markham Valley (an interesting population of lake crocodiles here), the Siassi Islands with beautiful coral reefs, as well as the long ocean shores of Maus Buang and Labu Tali - nesting sites leatherback turtle, some representatives of which weigh up to 500 kg and reach a length of up to two meters.

Milne Bay District
The very east of Papua New Guinea, together with the groups of Trobriand Islands, Murua (Woodlark), Lachlan, D'Entrecasteaux, Louisiada, Conflict and Samarai, is part of the Milne Bay district. Formerly one huge naval base during the Second World War , the district is literally full of various traces of those events. It also includes 160 small islands and 500 reefs scattered over an area of ​​more than 250 thousand square kilometers, which turns it into a real Mecca for divers and fans of water sports.

The capital of the district is the town of Alotau, spectacularly located on the edge of Milne Bay, - excellent place to start getting acquainted with this unusual region. From here, numerous ships depart to the island of Fergusson with its hot volcanic springs, mud fumaroles, geysers and volcanoes, to the picturesque island of Mishima with its reefs and gold mines, to the island of Murua (Woodlark) with its wood carving masters, to the Trobriand Islands with their unique social system (local chiefs have enormous power and influence, but inheritance is through the female line) and the colorful harvest festival of Milamala, to the island of Kiriwina with its freshwater caves (an amazing phenomenon for the small islands of the region) and ritual caves near the village of Matawa, to the island of Goodenow, in in the center of which rises a large stone with mysterious inscriptions, as well as numerous shallow reefs, the waters around which contain the ruins of hundreds of sunken ships and warplanes from the Second World War.

New Britain
The island of New Britain (area 37.8 thousand sq. km), lying 30 km northeast of the coast of New Guinea, forms two administrative regions - Western and Eastern. This is the most big Island Bismarck Archipelago - from east to west it stretches for almost 475 km, and from north to south - from 35 to 85 km. Its northern shores are washed by the waters of the Bismarck Sea, and its southern shores by the Solomon Sea. Despite its age (about 10 million years), the island is mountainous and active - a low slope runs along its entire length. Mountain chain, replete with volcanic peaks, fumaroles and green valleys. There are especially many volcanoes in the northern part of the island - here they stretch in an almost continuous series high peaks active volcanoes Langila (Cape Gloucester, 1330 meters), Bamus (2248 meters), Ulawun (the highest volcano in the Bismarck Archipelago, 2334 meters), many of them with extensive calderas. Southern slopes The mountains are composed of limestone, and therefore abound in caves, grottoes and picturesque outlier rocks.

Rabaul
The city of Rabaul is the official capital of the island and one of its most tragic monuments. Once the richest and beautiful city country, which became the scene of fierce fighting during the Second World War, the city of flowering gardens and a rich port was almost completely destroyed in September 1994 by the eruption of the Tavurvur volcano, and its inhabitants were evacuated to other parts of the island. All that remained of its former appearance were half-buried in black. volcanic ash neighborhoods around the Simpson Bay harbour, some of the port buildings (the port is still in operation!) and numerous underground structures of a huge ( total length almost 576 km) of a tunnel system dug by the Japanese during the war.

Moving from the airport, which is now located in Tokua (approximately 50 km from Rabaul), you can visit the picturesque peninsula of Gazelle Peninsula, bordering the beautiful bay from the sea with the cone of Tavurvura rising above it, drive through coconut groves and lush forests of the foothills and enter the lunar zone landscape at the foot of the volcano. Having driven through the black streets of the city, most similar to the scenery of some apocalyptic film, you can exit through the relatively undamaged Mango Avenue to a real oasis of miraculously surviving (and carefully restored) tourist hotels. If you have some courage, you can dive in the harbor of Rabaul, which stores in its depths tens and hundreds of warplanes and ships of the Second World War. Then drive east to the town of Kokopo with its Museum military history and the ruins of Gunanthambu Mansion, built in the 1880s by the legendary "Queen Emma".

Duke of York Island is a 45-minute boat ride from Kokopo, renowned for its excellent diving and snorkelling conditions, while the surrounding lagoons offer canoeing, windsurfing, waterskiing and yachting. Or you can head north to Kabakada, home to the extremely popular Kulau Lodge resort, built right on the beach in traditional local style.

The western part of the island of New Britain is virtually untouched by tourism. The only exception is the Valindi plantation area, where one of the best dive resorts in the Pacific region is located. The resort is located on a private palm plantation stretching along the shores of Kimbe Bay and is surrounded by a wall of volcanic peaks. Volcanic caves, thick thickets of corals and clear blue waters The bays are home to a huge amount of marine life. There is also a popular dive site known as "The Cathedral" - a vast horseshoe of coral reef with a large cave at one end. The inner side is formed by an extended strip white sand, and the outer one - with the richest coral “gardens”.

Muruk Cave in the Nakanai region is believed to be the deepest underground system in the southern hemisphere (French cavers recently traversed part of the tunnels to a depth of 1,200 meters below the entrance level, but did not reach the end of the tunnels). The small town of Talasea is located on the shores of the Williams Peninsula, the adjacent bay is widely known for its “necklace” of small islands, the ruins of American bombers from World War II and active volcanism.

Talasea is the center for the production of traditional local "money" from cowrie shells, and obsidian (volcanic glass) mined in these parts has been found in excavations in many areas of Oceania, with many of these samples dating back to the third millennium BC. And on the island of Pangula, the Vabua Valley (Valley of Hot Water) with several dozen geysers and fumaroles deserves attention.

The best surfing spots - www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg - are located along the coast of Vanimo (West Sepik, 30 km from the Indonesian border), on the sandy beaches in the Kavieng area (New Ireland Island).

(Bougainville, Buka), D'Entrecasteaux Islands and more than 200 small islands. This article will tell you what a holiday in New Guinea is like, attractions, entertainment and prices in the country.

The total area of ​​New Guinea is 462.8 thousand square meters. km. The island was once part of the mainland, then, due to rising sea levels, it became an island separated from Australia by the Torres Strait. This fact explains that the same marsupials live in New Guinea as on the mainland.

The settlement of New Guinea occurred more than 45 thousand years ago by peoples from Asia. Europeans arrived here in the 16th century. During the period of colonization, the island belonged to several European countries. New Guinea gained independence in 1975.

The relief of the island is mixed, there is both a flat part and areas covered mountain ranges. The most high point rises 4.9 kilometers above sea level. The subequatorial climate in the south of the island gives way to the equatorial climate in the north. Winter here lasts from May to September, and from December to March is the heavy rainy season.

For domestic tourists, visiting this country seems distant and exotic. They are partly right. Here you can see something that you won’t see on advertised famous resorts. In New Guinea, virgin nature, untouched by technogenic civilization, has miraculously been preserved. Whites spread out along the entire ocean coast, sandy beaches, taking tourists back hundreds of years, when, in the 16th century, a European first set foot on these lands.

New Guinea on the map:

And today a white person begins his acquaintance with these regions from the capital of the state, Port Moresby. The city is very interesting, colorful, and offers a rich excursion program. Although local hotels do not boast of the “Hilton” level of service, they provide everything necessary for the guest.

The islands of New Guinea are of volcanic origin and are surrounded by countless picturesque lagoons, reefs, underwater plateaus, around which underwater life boils in its amazing diversity. Coastal ocean waters since the times when great things happened geographical discoveries, hide the skeletons of dead ships full of treasures. This is an amazing region with its own mysteries and secrets.

Climate Features

New Guinea has a humid, tropical climate, and most of the territory has a mountainous terrain. High ridges stretch across the entire country (Bismarck Ridge, Central Ridge, Owen-Stanley Ridge). Many volcanoes and mountain peaks rise 3,000 meters or more above sea level, and the height of the peak of Mount Wilhelm is 4,509 meters. Between the huge, significantly dissected rocks lie intermountain basins, about 1500 meters above sea level.

The climatic features of this region can be considered that the year here is divided into only two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. When changing them, no sudden temperature changes are observed. The thermometer fluctuates around +25℃ (lower in mountainous areas), and it gets really hot only near the coast. Another surprising thing is that each season comes to different areas of the country at different times. Rainfall generally occurs in most areas between December and March, with the dry season extending from May to October.

Attractions

An interesting event occurred in New Guinea in 2005. Scientists from the United States have discovered a place here where an ecosystem untouched by humans has been preserved. They called this place the “Garden of Eden.” The garden's area is 300,000 hectares; previously unknown animals, insects, several types of palm trees, and many different plants unknown to science were discovered on its territory. Representatives of the local fauna are not at all afraid of humans, they even allow themselves to be picked up. This proves that they also met people for the first time. “Gardens of Eden” is essentially a virgin tropical forest, reliably sheltered from outside influence, forgotten by time, in which not a single path has been trodden by man to this day. In this wonderful corner, everything remains the same as it was at the moment of creation.

Giluwe Volcano is located in the Southern Highlands province and is the highest volcano in all of Australia and Oceania. The slopes of the volcano are covered with green meadows. The peak of Giluwe was first conquered by Australians. Now many climbers come to New Guinea to repeat this ascent.

National Botanical Garden located in the capital, Port Moresby. With 3,000 varieties of orchids, this is the largest collection of orchids in the southern hemisphere. And for birds it is - real paradise, here you can thoroughly enjoy the singing of local birds of paradise. Tourists come here from all over the world to admire the amazing, huge collection of orchids collected here, walk along the suspended trails and get acquainted with the “plant map” of Guinea.

Bayer Nature Reserve is another natural attraction worth visiting. This river reserve, founded in 1968, has a huge area. Various species of parrots, opossums, tree kangaroos and other animals live here. Here you can take a tour along the river, stroll through unusually beautiful places and admire the scenery.

Where to visit

As mentioned above, coming here, tourists get an amazing opportunity to plunge into the world of pristine, wild nature, practically unaffected by human activity. Many nature reserves have been created here, National parks and gardens. First of all, it should be said about the “double-headed” (with two peaks) shield volcano Giluwe. It is located in the Southern Highlands, and rises to 4368 meters, being the second highest peak in Guinea, after Mount William, and the highest in Oceania and Australia. On the surface of Giluva you can see amazingly beautiful green alpine meadows.

Others, no less famous and amazing a piece of paradise can be called the Bayer Nature Reserve, mentioned above Created by nature itself, it is located in the river basin, 55 km from Mount Hagen. And it is an amazing place where you can best get an idea of ​​the animal and plant diversity and richness of this region.

Definitely on the list of places worthy of attention, Lake Qutbu should be included. Situated in the Southern Highlands, it is famous for its picturesque views and the rare species of fish found in its waters. The area of ​​the lake is about 50 km². Along its banks, the Qutbu is surrounded by wetland forests that are under state protection.

The first National Park of New Guinea, Variata, cannot be ignored in this review. Located near the capital (only 42 km), it spreads over an area of ​​more than 1000 hectares. In former times, these lands were a favorite hunting ground for local tribes. The park even has a religious building - a house tree, revered by the Koiaris tribe.

The so-called “Cook Swamps” deserve special mention - in the past, these were settlements of farmers located 1500 meters above sea level, in the Western Highlands and covering an area of ​​116 hectares. Since the middle of the last century, archaeologists have been constantly excavating the settlement site.

Last on this list, but by no means the least in its significance and value, is the National Museum of New Guinea. By visiting its exhibition halls, you can get acquainted in detail with the features of national culture, existing traditions and rich history countries. Museum complex built in such a way that different, thematically divided parts of its exhibition are located in different parts of the city. On the one hand, this seems inconvenient, but on the other, residents and guests of the capital have the opportunity to access the spiritual heritage from different “angles,” including architectural ones.

Peculiarities of national Guinean cuisine

The local menu does not look quite usual for Europeans. To the products that are familiar to us, for example, fish or meat, local cooks generously add stewed vegetables and Exotic fruits(for example, passion fruit, papaya, mango, pineapple, banana, etc.). Tuber vegetables are widely represented in the national cuisine: kaukau, taro, sago, yam and pig. And the most popular dish among the local population is “mumu”. It includes ingredients such as rice, sweet potato, meat, herbs and spices.

However, the increased flows foreign tourists, contribute to the emergence of restaurants offering dishes from Chinese, European and Indonesian cuisine. As for alcohol, locals prefer beer made according to recipes that came from Australia and the Philippines.

Where is the best place to stay?

Finding a place to stay will not be a problem. Moreover, it is possible to choose a suitable option for any budget. If you can’t afford to stay in a hotel, you can easily take advantage of the hospitality of local residents, who will charge tourists a nominal fee for breakfast. And those for whom hotel accommodation seems preferable should pay attention to Kimbe Bay. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and there are coral reefs very close for diving. The apartments are air conditioned, there is free internet access, and there are bars and restaurants.

Another great hotel to consider is the Kimbe Bay West New Britain. From its windows there is a wonderful view of Pacific Ocean, and he himself, is located in the port of Kimbe - the “coral capital” of the world. The hotel is adjacent to the New Britain Island Highway. In the morning, for guests here " Buffet", and the rest of the time the restaurant offers guests traditional Guinean dishes, as well as dishes from all over the world. Works at the hotel exchange office currency and there is a guarded parking lot.

Shopping at local stores

There are many large shopping centers and shops in the country. Most of them work from 9:00 to 17:00, on all days except weekends. But some retail outlets serve customers on Saturday (until 13:00) and even on Sunday. There are quite a lot of unusual goods produced in Guinea on the shelves. Large retail outlets service international bank cards, but withdrawing cash from them is a very problematic activity.

There are few ATMs, and those that exist are mainly located big cities and in the capital and serve only those clients who have an account with the national bank. Paying with a card on the periphery is almost impossible. On the other hand, traveler's checks are accepted in all branches, but you should be prepared for queues.

In Guinean markets, it is absolutely not customary to bargain, and in the provinces, you can only pay in the national currency, and, due to the shortage of banknotes with a small denomination, it is quite possible not to get your change.

Transport connection

New Guinea International Airport is located in its capital, Port Moresby. An air ticket from New Guinea will cost at least 800 euros one way. Coastal shipping exists between all the islands of the country.
There is a problem with other types of transport in the country. This is due to the fact that the road infrastructure is poorly developed. Taxi services are also very rare. Tourists usually rent a car, but for this you need to have a credit card. bank card, international driver's license and driving experience. But when you have “wheels,” you have a great opportunity to go everywhere and see everything.

Criminal situation

In New Guinea, the crime rate is not much different from any other countries. The same crimes as everywhere else: scammers, thieves, hijackers, robbers, etc. Also, the Guinean police are not averse to making extra money from visitors. Basically, most of the offenses occur in cities and the capital. There are various criminal youth groups. However, thanks to the efforts of the authorities, these crimes do not take the form of an epidemic.

Safety

Doctors strongly advise anyone planning to visit this country to get a set of vaccinations. In the tropics, diseases such as typhus, cholera and malaria are much more common. Moreover, if for some reason it is not possible to stay in a hotel and eat only in a restaurant. And in relation to children, doctors are even more categorical and urge parents to vaccinate their children against a whole bunch of possible diseases, which include: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis B.

Knowledge of these subtleties and careful preparation for the trip is the key have an interesting holiday in New Guinea in 2020.

You can feel the atmosphere of the country in the video:

Papua New Guinea from a tourism perspective:

Papua New Guinea is, perhaps, one of the cleanest places on the planet, where the hand of man has not yet managed to transform and modify the amazing nature of this island. This land is replete with the most exotic flora and fauna - we can say that these lands hold the record for the number of amazing species of animals and plants that attract both tourists and biologists. Papua New Guinea has everything that is included in the universal concept of “heaven on earth”: sandy golden beaches, mysterious jungle, clear blue sea, entire colonies of coral polyps, dazzling sun and serious steep cliffs, which pleasantly contrast with the bright colors of nature.

Address of the Russian Embassy in Papua New Guinea:

There are no foreign offices of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the country. The nearest diplomatic mission is in.

Emergency number in Papua New Guinea:

112 – Emergency operational service

112 - Police

111 — Emergency medical care

110 – Fire service

Top main attractions of Papua New Guinea:

• Mount Wilhelm;
• Giluwe Volcano;
• Port Moresby;
• Ancient agricultural settlement of Kuka;
• Fjords of Papua New Guinea (Northern District);
• mountain range Owen-Stanley;
• Sepik River;
• Southern Highlands;
• City of Rabaul;
• Lake Kutubu;
• Duke of York Island;
• Central District;
• Eastern Highlands;
• Western district.

Popular tourist cities in Papua New Guinea:

• Mount Hagen;
• Goroka;
• Port Moresby;
• Arawa;
• Oro;
• Daru;
• Bensbach.

Average tourist budget in Papua New Guinea:

• Water, 0.33-liter bottle 75.47 ₽;
• Milk , ordinary, 1 liter119.18 RUR;
• Loaf of fresh white bread, 0.5 kg 125.34 RUR;
• White rice, 1 kg 126.69 RUR;
• Eggs, pack of 12 pieces 252.03 ₽;
• Local cheese, 1 kg 806.54 RUR;
• Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, 1 kg 517.73 RUR;
• Beef tenderloin, red meat, 1 kg 567.02 ₽;
• Apples, 1 kg 378.72 RUR;
• Banana, 1 kg 129.77 RUR;
• Oranges, 1 kg 361.78 ₽;
• Tomato, 1 kg 339.44 ₽;
• Potatoes, 1 kg 211.41 ₽;
• Onion, 1 kg 196.58 RUR;
• Lettuce, 1 head 123.61 RUR;
• Water, 1.5 liter bottle 131.70 RUR;
• A bottle of wine , average price 883.94 ₽;
• Homemade beer, 0.5 liter bottle 167.89 RUR;
• A pack of cigarettes 392.97 ₽;
• Private preschool or kindergarten, monthly for 1 child 9,576.78 ₽;
• International Primary School, annually for 1 child 491,114.97 RUR.

Clothes and shoes

• A pair of jeans in branded clothing stores RUB 2,160.84;
• Summer dress in a branded clothing store RUB 3,274.47;
• A pair of sneakers, average price RUB 4,387.34;
• Pair of leather shoes 6,090.33 RUR.

Housing rental prices, per month

• Apartment, 1 bedroom, in the city center 106,081.08 ₽;
• Apartment, 1 bedroom, Outside the city center RUB 75,631.18;
• Apartment, 3 bedrooms, in the city center 409,394.04 ₽;
• Apartment, 3 bedrooms, Outside the city center 155,192.61 ₽.

Prices for visiting cafes and restaurants

• Meals in an inexpensive restaurant 785.36 ₽;
• Meal for 2 people, Mid-level restaurant, three courses RUB 3,143.36;
• Poppy menu at McDonalds or alternative fast food 567.02 RUR;
• Homemade beer, 0.5 liters 209.67 ₽;
• Imported beer, 0.33-liter bottle 295.16 ₽;
• Cappuccino 180.21 ₽;
• Coca- Cola , 0.33-liter jar 74.32 ₽;
• Imported beer, 0,33- liter bottle 235.09 ₽.

Sports and recreation

• Fitness club, Monthly fee for 1 adult RUB 3,230.19;
• Tennis court rental, 1 hour on weekends 1,026.22 RUR.

Transport

• One-way ticket, local transport 19.25 RUR;
• Monthly pass, Common price 490.97 ₽;
• Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) Tariff for landing, average 98.58 ₽;
• Taxi, price per 1 km, normal tariff 588.97 ₽;
• Taxi, price for 1 hour of waiting, normal tariff 1,080.52 ₽;
• Gasoline, 1 liter 57.95 RUR.

The most famous dishes of Papua New Guinea that you must try:

As a rule, stewed or fresh vegetables, root vegetables grown on the islands, rice or yams are served as a side dish.

Don’t be surprised if, instead of the usual bread or flatbread, vacationers see breadfruit on the table of local residents. When traveling around the islands of Papua New Guinea, we recommend choosing a time to try Bally Beef (fried beef with rice), game stew or poultry.

Gourmets will be able to appreciate the Kokoda fish, the special taste of which is given by the coconut milk sauce. The fried Hula crab meat won't go unnoticed either.

Lemonades made from tropical fruits will appeal to little tourists. And beer and island strong alcoholic drinks will not leave adult travelers indifferent.

Tropical fruits (bananas, papaya, passion fruit, mangoes and pineapples) will delight your sweet tooth with freshness. And delicate fruit desserts, including the delicious island delicacy “Talautu”, will be remembered by vacationers for a long time.

The favorite dish of the people of Papua New Guinea has the funny name “Mumu”. Its basis is pork, which is cooked with spices and herbs, rice, sweet potato tubers and numerous spices.

Guests of the country will be amazed by the original taste of delicacies made from sugar cane stalks, which are often offered as a light snack to tourists spending their holidays on the coast of Papua New Guinea.

What language is spoken in Papua New Guinea:

English, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu are spoken in Papua New Guinea.

The most famous guides to Papua New Guinea:

• Daniil Olegovich Nasonov, Anton Krotov Papuans - without embellishment. A practical guide to the second island of the Earth Publisher: GEO-MT, TK "Scrinti", 2011

Visa to Papua New Guinea:

Citizens require a visa to visit Papua New Guinea. Due to the absence of representative offices of this state in Russia, visa applications are submitted directly through the website of the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority (www.ICA.gov.pg). The visa fee is paid by bank card.

If the immigration authorities of that country make a positive decision, the applicant is issued an electronic visa, which must be presented in printed form at the check-in counter of the airport of departure and when crossing the border of Papua New Guinea at checkpoints open for international traffic.

Souvenirs from Papua New Guinea:

• Carved masks and figurines made of wood;
• Figurines made from Angoram and Sepik;
• Beech wicker baskets;
• Decorative axes, arrows and bows made by local artisans;
• Crocodile leather products;
• Beads made from wild pig tusks.

Features of the customs regime - what can and cannot be exported and imported into Papua New Guinea:

• You can import any currency (foreign or national) into Papua New Guinea without any restrictions. The export of local banknotes is limited to 200 PGK, and foreign currencies - the equivalent of 10,000 PGK;
• Duty-free import applies to alcohol, tobacco and perfume products, as well as new goods whose cost does not exceed 200 PGK;
• For personal use vacationers and their fellow travelers can take with them a radio, TV and other equipment in a single copy;
• It is prohibited to import antique items, non-canned food products (meat and fish), and pork in any form into Papua New Guinea. You can import representatives of flora or fauna only with a pre-issued permit. The importation of cats, dogs and parrots into Papua New Guinea is prohibited.

After the end of your vacation, it is prohibited to take out of the country:

• Antiques (art treasures that are more than half a century old);
• Any objects found on the ocean floor;
• Exotic representatives of flora and fauna.

Vaccination before traveling to Papua New Guinea:

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR);

For all travelers born after 1956, 2 doses of the vaccine are recommended if they have not been vaccinated before.

• Diphtheria-tetanus;

The vaccination is done once every 10 years. Check your vaccination card before traveling.

• Hepatitis A;

• Typhoid fever;

• Hepatitis B;

This vaccination is recommended for all travelers.

• Rabies;

This vaccination is recommended for those travelers who plan to spend their holidays in rural areas, in places where animals congregate, which increases the risk of bites, as well as those planning to visit places where the risk of collision with bats is high.

• Japanese encephalitis.

For travelers who may spend a month or more in rural areas, as well as for short-term travelers who may spend a lot of time outside their homes in rural areas, especially at night. ties and jackets are extremely rare. In mountainous areas, warmer clothing will be required, and due to the high humidity of the local climate, various waterproof capes will be quite useful, especially during the monsoon season (from December to March).

 

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